How Can I Rejoice in the Lord?
Devotional thoughts on Habakkuk 3:17-18
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).
It can be relatively easy to trust in the Lord and follow him when things are going well for our loved ones and us. When there are no health challenges or money troubles. When relationships are strong and not strained. When the country we live in is prosperous and thriving and not in the midst of crisis and unrest.
Similarly, it can be extremely difficult to trust in the Lord and follow him when things aren’t going well for us or our loved ones.
In such times, we might be tempted to wonder where God is in the midst of our troubles. Is he present . . . or is he aloof? If God is present, why doesn’t he do something about our troubles? Has he lost control of the situation? If he is gone, why has he forsaken us? Why isn’t he blessing us as he once did?
James J. Westendorf wrote about the verses quoted above in his commentary on Habakkuk in The People’s Bible® series:
It is easy, or at least relatively easy, to serve the Lord when everything is going well and his blessings are in evidence everywhere. An attitude of thanksgiving comes to us much more easily when crops are good, the stock market is up, inflation is low, all is well with our families, and peace reigns in the land. But what happens when those blessings are removed? That is what Habakkuk describes here. Because of the Babylonian devastation of the land, crops will fail and the sheep folds and cattle stalls will be empty. Economic conditions in the country will be so bad that the question might be asked how Judah will even survive. For all outward appearances it seemed the Lord had either forsaken his people or lost control of the situation. (p. 144)
And yet . . . in faith, Habakkuk made the powerful declaration that even though all outward appearances pointed to God forsaking his people or losing control, the prophet would still rejoice in the Lord. He would still be joyful in God his Savior.
Dear Christian, we still struggle with the same questions as the Israelites in Habakkuk’s day—questions about the Lord’s presence in our lives in times of trouble and his control over all things in this sin-darkened world.
And yet . . . in faith, despite all outward appearances, we can still rejoice in the Lord. We can still be joyful in God our Savior.
How? How can we rejoice?
We focus on the Lord. Our trust and faith are in him, the God who keeps all of his promises. Not one shall go unfulfilled. He promises us that he will never leave or forsake his dearly loved children. And that is what we are—dearly loved children of God. Not because of anything we’ve done, but all because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.
No matter what our lives look like here, God has forgiven all our sins. He has rescued us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. We’re at peace with God. Heaven is our home.
Thank you, God!
For Further Reading: Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah
Looking to learn more about several of the Old Testament prophets and the messages they preached to God’s people? Check out James J. Westendorf’s Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, one of the insightful 41 volumes in The People’s Bible® series.
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Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House and a 2023 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. He enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation with his family.
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